Media Release
The majority of Australians would get themselves and their children vaccinated against Covid-19, a survey from Monash University has revealed.
The latest results from the Survey of Covid-19 Responses to Understand Behaviour (SCRUB) project, released today, examined compliance with Covid-19 rules and regulations as well as a vaccination against the disease.
BehaviourWorks Australia, part of the Monash Sustainable Development Institute, is leading the Australian chapter of SCRUB in partnership with the Victorian Government.
These results, collected in late September, form the ninth round of data collection and provide policymakers with actionable insights into public attitudes and behaviours relating to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite concerns in the media that vaccine hesitancy could undermine Australia’s Covid-19 response, SCRUB data found 71% of Australians would get a Covid-19 vaccination if it became available.
Only 8% said they would not get vaccinated and two-thirds of respondents stated they would also vaccinate their children against the disease.
The majority of respondents said they believe the vaccine is important and necessary.
SCRUB also found 80% of respondents are often or always following Covid-19 rules and regulations with the majority of respondents (71%) stating their compliance has stayed the same as the previous month.
Respondents were also asked how much longer they could adhere to the personal actions required or recommended by authorities in their state.
Almost 90% of Australians believe that they can follow Covid-19 related rules and regulations for as long, or longer, than is currently requested by authorities in their state with 44% stating that they could comply indefinitely, if needed.
Lead researcher, Dr Peter Slattery, says it was very positive to see that most Australians are willing to be vaccinated against Covid-19, if or when that opportunity arises.
“It shows again that we’re willing to do whatever it takes as a nation to stop the virus and return to normality,” he says.
“It was also great to see that so many Australians are willing to keep following Covid-19 related rules and regulations for as long as it takes.
“Obviously, we all hope to see the restrictions reduce over time as we defeat the virus but we may need to maintain changes to our lives to help make that happen.”
Text by: Monash University
